Universal Studios Orlando, Teens, Memorial Day & Week?
 

We're considering taking the kids (11-17 years old) to Orlando for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure May 29, 2004 - June 5, 2004. I'm a big bargain hunter and it looks like we can use our relative's timeshare for a 2 bedroom condo off-site at no cost to us.

Since Universal is running the 5 day ticket for the price of a 2 day ticket, and then Mastercard is running an internet promotion to buy 4 of these tickets and get the 5th one free, I anticipate we'll be focusing our week on Universal. I've been researching the Orlando boards but I'd really like to get your current opinions too.

Questions:

1) With the free condo, we probably won't be staying onsite. How crummy is it to see other families skipping to the head of the lines with their onsite hotel keys? Or since we'll have all week, is that really an issue?

2) Have any of you ever been to Universal the first week of June? What size of crowd should we expect? How hot and humid do you expect it would be that week? Is it drink-a-water-bottle-an-hour hot under the blaring sun or is it a nice day in the park?

3) Our strategy when the kids were younger was to hit the parks at the crack of dawn, go back to hotel for nap and swim and then return to the parks in the evening. What are you experiences of using this type of strategy with teens and preteens?

4) 17 year old wants to take his girlfriend, any pros/cons on that one?

5) Any other budget hints with teens?

You don't need to be a hotel guest to get front of the line privileges. And with your group, a condo makes more sense. Univeral/IOA has a free Express Pass system to get reserved times to for certain rides' special Express entrance (the same one hotel guests use). You can get one Express Pass at a time, with a specific ride time. Also, most of the popular rides have "single rider" lines. These seem to move even faster than the "express" pass. Be sure to check out the filming schedule on the Universal website.

Thanks for responding. Have you ever taken older kids to the park? How did it go when Dad wanted to wake up bright and early and they really didn't?

Howdy. The kids will love Universal and Islands of Adventure. My son is 14, we live in Florida, and despite the fact that he's been, he's always up for a trip to the theme parks with his friends. But I do wonder if five days is a bit much. I'd do one day at both those parks, then (since you will have paid for them with your 5-day pass) you can go back if you'd like. And I will assume that your kids will have missed one or two rides or park places the first go-around. I suggest maybe you consider another park for one other day. I like Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Sea World (there are others but those come to mind).

In June, weather in Florida is awful for those not used to it, and awful sometimes for those who are used to it. It can be unbearably hot and humid -- and it's true that it ain't the heat but the humidity, which makes it feel 100 when it's only 90 (for real). I find that if you were thin cotton clothes which absorb some of the perspiration, you can stay comfortable. But always wear a hat with a visor to cover your face. Luckily the parks have a lot of shade but June is the time when families that have time off from school come to the parks. It is also a time when Florida vacations, so the parks often entice us with special deals for residents with FL drivers licenses. So don't anticipate an empty park. I think the passes to go to the head of the line (VIP passes) would be a good investment.

I agree with the pool/park strategy. But I think you'll have a hard time getting them out of the park. And sometimes getting to/from the parking lot can be a major ordeal if you're at the far end of the park and have to walk & shuttle back to the parking lot.

As for budget hints, come prepared so you won't be forced to buy items. You can usually find reasonable prices for park-promoting hats, umbrellas, shirts, etc. but if you don't need them, don't buy them. They'll only sit on the shelf at home. Food can be expensive, in particular drinks (which you'll be wanting). My son recently complained of $5 cokes at Busch Gardens. It's kind of like going to the movies where the ticket cost less than the popcorn and coke. Parking is also expensive, and if you leave the park then come back you'll pay twice in a day (those on-site hotels have their advantages).

As for that 17-year-old and his girlfriend, there's an entire post right now on that can of worms. Take a read and heed.

I went to Universal and Disney several years ago for Memorial Weekend with a girlfriend and it was great! This are my takes on things.

Weather; End of May/early June with 100,000 other people on a concrete slab in Central Florida. Hot, humid, sticky, muggy. No way around that.

Crowds; We mostly encountered Florida residents from everyone we talked to. Crowds were not too bad at all. In fact, no lines at all at Epcot and very small ones at Universal.

Universal/Islands; Love it, love it, love it! Since you aren't staying on site, you may need 5 days. To me, it is so worth staying on site because yes it does suck watching others jump to the front of the line. We were there Easter week this year and it was packed. When we showed our room keys to the ride person to jump to the VIP line, you could hear the comments. Also, it is soooo easy to run back to the room or go to the pool or just leave property without the hassle of the whole family having to do this.

My peice of mind was worth so much more than the money I would have saved being offsite. I don't think Memorial Weekend is considered peak season so you might find a bargain.

As stated before, you can get free express passes that work much like the Disney Fast Pass. They also SELL express passes. The cost depends on the time of year and it allows you to walk right up to the express line just like the on site guests. The only catch is, you can only do that ONCE on each of the rides covered. For any and all questions you have concerning Universal go to www.disboards.com and scroll to the Universal forums. You and your kids will love Islands of Adventure and Unversal Studios. If you get hot, go on the water rides and have fun and cool off at the same time.

Thanks for responding. Hope you are having a great holiday with your family and friends.